This time next month marks an important time for those of us who play video games. It will be the generational switch between gaming consoles that happens once every 8 years or so. Xbox 360 will become the new Xbox One, PS3 to PS4, and the Nintendo Wii to the Wii U. But one doesn’t have to be a “gamer” just to be excited. As technology advances with higher Internet speeds, we are seeing a shift towards everything being consolidated to one system. These consoles are no longer simply for the express purpose of battling aliens, collecting gold coins or saving humanity. Rather those have just become half of what these consoles are used for. Nowadays I use my Xbox just as much to watch movies, stream music, and even watch the news as I do playing the games themselves.

The big question is which one do you choose? Obviously people with previous generations will more likely stick to the same brand for the sake of familiarity much like an iPhone user will stick to Apple. But what about those of you who have yet to own a console and/or might be thinking to get one? It really just depends what kind of a person you are and being able to identify the right console for you. Having been an avid gamer all my life and played cross-platform throughout the years, here’s my “Video-game Horoscope” that might help you narrow the choices down in which system is best for you.

Video games are just for fun and that’s who you are! A kid at heart who likes inviting people over to play video games no matter what their age! You will probably never stop loving the old classics like “Mario Kart” and “Super Smash Bros” but also aren’t afraid to get physical when someone challenges you with new ideas such as the Wii Fitness Board or to a dance-off! Your idea of video game socializing is with actual people in the room all playing together, not just sitting on your couch with a headset talking to people you probably don’t even know.

Let’s be honest, Nintendo is for kids. You’re the serious gamer and yes – talking tactics with friends using the headset mic is crucial. You understand that like all things in life, gaming is about teamwork and no enemy can stand against a team of dedicated buddies who have your back. Halo, Call of Duty, Battlefield: these games, as far as you know, were made only for the Xbox. Nothing else matters in the heat of the moment as much annihilating the opposition. Oh, and your siblings better get off their Tumblr/Netflix if it’s lagging the Internet!

You’re a sensible and practical person who views video games as a way to do all the really fun and stupid stuff that you ordinarily wouldn’t do. You’re into physical exercise and most likely play your favorite sports but video games is when you can do things like run your character into a pole. Or have him jump off a cliff. Games like; FIFA World Cup, and Forza Motorsports are your realm, after all – why not continue the action after you’ve left the football field? And let’s not forget going around with your bazooka and blowing up random things in the Grand Theft Autoseries.

In case you’re still unsure about which one to get, the last thing to factor in is to find out which console your friends have, because now you can watch movies together, and catch up with those who are thousands of miles away, all from the comforts of your living room. 90% of games coming out have online compatibility but there’s no crossing of platforms (ie. If your buddy has the Xbox and you have the PlayStation you can’t play together!) So don’t be left out!

*Note: the Xbox One is $100 USD more expensive due to the fact that the bundle includes the Kinect sensor. The PlayStation equivalent “PlayStation Eye” does not come with the PlayStation4 bundle and is sold separately

As a traveling musician I’m constantly asked the question: “Where is your home most of the year?” For me, the answer is usually: “In a hotel room somewhere in the world”. With that being said, the Armani Hotel is not simply “a hotel somewhere in the world”. Located in the most central, where-you-want-to-be part of Milan (Right at the doorstep of “via Montenapoleone”) the Manzoni 31 building – originally designed by Enrico A. Griffini in 1937,combines beautifully the rather bleak design of early 20th rationalism with Giorgio Armani’s chic yet personal, modern minimalism.

Nel 1948 l’edificio era la sede di Assicurazioni Generali[The Manzoni 31 building in 1948 when insurance company Assicurazioni Generali was using it for their headquarters.]

Launched two years ago, Mr. Armani’s vision in creating such a project was to not only mark his personal brand on the city (the footprint of the hotel is actually shaped in an “A”), but to also share his refined elegance and let people have the complete Armani experience where you can not only wear Armani, but also eat ,live, and breathe Armani.

Armani Hotel personnel bring fresh daily snacks in the afternoon to tie you over till dinner.

La palestra e l’area spa/sauna si trovano sopra la lobby all’ultimo piano dell’hotel così gli ospiti possono godersi la vista ma anche un ambiente acusticamente isolato.[The gym and spa/sauna area is located above the lobby on the top floor of the hotel so that guests may not only enjoy the views, but also be acoustically free of any noise once back in the guest room.]

An interesting and personal touch is that most of the furniture and amenities in the hotel such as the automatic shades and curtains in the rooms or the lounge chairs in the spa, to even the subtle perfume scent that circulates in the air, are things he uses in his own personal life.

What makes this hotel so remarkable however is not because of the amazing design, or even that it has the Armani name behind it, but the fact that every attention to detail has been thought and tested to the point where the hotel runs like a smooth and efficient machine. The word “VIP” has not been truly tried and tested until now. Upon checking in you are assigned a personal “Lifestyle Manager” who manages and oversees your entire stay to ensure the highest quality.

Di solito i VIP tendono a venire disturbati da fans o paparazzi, ma all’Armani hotel il sistema degli ascensori impedisce a chiunque non sia davvero ospite di fingersi tale e raggiungere le aree riservate: il sistema di keycard ideato per evitare I problema è ottimo.[VIP’s also tend to get harassed by a lot of paparazzi and fans so to ensure that your fans don’t try to take a free elevator ride up to your room pretending to be a guest, the hotel cleverly uses elevators to take you from ground floor to 7th floor lobby, and then separate wireless keycard activated elevators to go further to your rooms.]

Other things to look out for:

Marble floors and walls that are fitted with LED lights underneath to make them literally glow.

The scent: They subtly pump Armani perfume into the ventilation system so that the hotel always smells magical. I believe it’s a combination that uses mainly Mr Armani’s personal signature scent: “Bois d’Encens” from the Armani/Privé line.

The hotel is a 5 minute stroll to la Scala, and an 8 minute walk to the Galleria and the Duomo.

Enjoy the surf and sand @ Santa Monica Beach–And while you’re there be sure to check out the famous Santa Monica Pier with its historic “old-school” fair/amusement park atmosphere. There’s also an aquarium, a ton of restaurants, shops, and even a trapeze school!

Go shopping at Rodeo Drive – LA’s via Montanapoleone or Fifth Avenue where designer stores like Ferragamo, Gucci, Valentino, and Armani all hang out together in the Cali sun. Located in Beverly Hills, it’s where all the stars live!

Catch a performance at the Hollywood Bowl – home to the LA Phil in the Summer, the Bowl is the largest amphitheater in the US with a seating capacity of almost 18,000 people! Performers are a mixed variety, from Classical to Jazz to Pop & Rock.

Have dinner @ Cleo Restaurant – located in the West Hollywood’sRedbury Hotel, they serve the best Mediterranean dishes that have ever come in contact with the taste buds of all those who have come. I seriously can’t get over how good this place is. Every item on the menu was a home run. Personal favorite on the menu: “Brussels Sprouts” (but trust me, they’re not how you’re used to them!)

Fashion blogger/model by day, classical concert pianist by night (we’re talking Master’s degree graduate from Juilliard here), Kimberly Kong is a multi-faceted artist who is one of the few musicians out there defying the socially accepted norms about classical musicians walking around without a clue to fashion.

Here’s a sample from her blog, which presents us with easy, accessible fashion for everyday life, mixing high-end pieces with more affordable options.

I wanted to experiment with a unique color combination for today’s outfit post. I wore a girly coral dress and accessorized it with black & gold pieces. The black really stands out against the coral background, but the contrast works well overall. Remember, it’s all about juxtaposition.

I was stoked when I found this dress at Forever 21 – shopping there can either be a hit or a miss. They have really cute stuff, but one really has to have the patience to sift through mountains of merchandise.

I admire the way she’s not only managed to put together an elegant and stylish outfit from all these different places, but also teaches you how and why. It may take patience to do so but you can rest assure that the result will be unique and personal.

What does it take to be obsessed with something? Obsession comes in many forms; one can be obsessed with a person, or an object; a belief, or an ideal. One of my many obsessions is with the art of sharing music and all the various intricate details and nuances that come along with it. After all, everyone can learn and tell the same story or anecdote, but can they get the same positive reaction from the listener?

The word “obsession” tends to have negative connotations, however I think it’s perfectly reasonable to be a little obsessive – perhaps not about oneself but definitely for the things and people you care about. In order to become really good at something, it’s good to have natural talent and a hard working mentality, but it takes something a little stronger to really stand out. To be the Michelangelo, Frank Gehry, or Van Gogh’s of the world, one needs to live and breathe it in their daily lives, and it takes a constant obsession with one’s craft to reach the absolute pinnacle of any particular field. (Though perhaps it’s unnecessary to cause self-mutilation in order to attain a higher result.)

On July 16th I’ll be performing a concert aptly named “Obsession” at the prestigious Wigmore Hall in London. With acoustics of near-absolute pefection, it is one of the most sought-after venues for classical music recitals, and with a mere 545 seats, it provides an intimate and exclusive space for both audience and performer. The reason why I’ve named this particular program “Obsession” is because it is not often that everything is set upto fit perfectly together. Like a Michelin-Star chef who uses the best ingredients to prepare the perfect dish, at this particular concert we are lucky enough to have the best of everything available to us.

Ray Chen brings “Obsession” program to London, UK for a recital at Wigmore Hall on July 16th 2013 at 7:30pm. For more details, please click here.

Japan has been a wonderful place that I’ve visited on a frequent basis ever since I was 8 years old and invited to perform in the Opening Ceremony of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. I love the food, culture, and most of all the people there, where old customs and modern innovation give birth to a society where anything in any art form is possible.

In recent years, Japanese cuisine especially sushi, has grown to become the “fashionable” food source. There are many reasons notwithstanding; it’s healthy (rice – whether white or brown, does not contain gluten), and it looks good – a work of art on your plate. In fact, the recent trend seems to indicate that all aspects of Japanese culture have become an fascination for the West in not only their cuisine but also their technology, gadgets, lifestyle, and of course their clothes and fashion.

I think there’s something about the whole “old meets new” fusion that really gets people interested. Depending on the area you’re in, it would not be uncommon to see people wearing black and white business suits next to colorful and traditionally garbed kimono wearing women, and then walk past a crowd of cosplay characters all in one street. It seems that no matter what your taste in clothes is, there’s bound to be a niche in Japan where you can fit in.

The girl on the left wears a Hakama while the one on the right wears a Furisode

Traditional garments like the Kimono may all look the same to an untrained eye, however there are at least nine different styles of kimono, each representing a different level of formality as well as a woman’s age and marital status. For example a Furisode is worn by girls who celebrate their “coming of age” on their 20th birthday, which signifies that they are legal adults and typically – unmarried. Once a girl becomes married, she is given a new set of traditional garments called Houmongi, which in comparison, are a lot less colorful and generally more reserved to signify that her new role as a married woman. Yukata are worn by both men and women during the summer as it is made of a light cotton material and are the least expensive and definitely more stylish than any bathrobe. Think about it the next time you go to the beach or spa.

Ok, maybe not my first human kiss, but certainly my first dolphin kiss!! I’m on a cruise in the Caribbean and I’ve signed up today for a shore excursion where I get to meet and play with the dolphins! Cruises are one of my favorite holiday options for a whole variety of reasons. Some of these ships have the most ridiculously fun things on board that you wouldn’t expect on a ship such as ice-skating rinks, rock climbing walls, casino, bars, clubs, gymnasium, spas, saunas, and of course an array of pools and hot-tubs everywhere you go, perfect for soaking those tired muscles from all that activity! All of these, plus food and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price that you’ve already paid, and they go as low as USD $500 a person for an entire week.Oh, and did I mention free 24-hour room service?

Little animals made from towels are a part of the every day life on a boat.

Insomma, ad ognuno la sua, ma crociere per tutti, sempre e ovunque!

And while you’re working on your tan line, attending the latest comedy show, or winning at Blackjack, the variety of destinations are being brought closer to you. Oftentimes you’ll simply go to sleep, lulled by the soothing sensation of the sea, and wake up the next morning at the next exotic location like Jamaica, or the Virgin Islands, where you’ll be ready to go off on your excursions like the one I did, or simply explore the island. Week long cruises usually have 3 – 4 stops and depending on the region, they could be traditional beaches or more exotic locations like the Great Pyramids in Egypt, or the Acropolis in Athens. It just depends on what you want to do and you can customize your own holiday experience. There are a variety of cruise lines and each is tailored to a different clientele. Some, such as Disney, and Royal Caribbean, are more family friendlyand others like; Princess, Celebrity, and Holland America cruise lines cater towards an older and more conservative crowd. Young people wanting to drink and party hard should check out Carnival Cruises.

There is nothing more sexy than a guy who takes care of himself. You think the fans think any less of Ronaldo when he’s getting his hair done at halftime? When winter hits guys you’ll want to make sure that your lips are well sealed with moisture to keep them from looking like something from a science lab. I’m using my favorite type of lip balm by Gatsby, which gives a slight cooling feeling on the lips and unlike so many other lip balms out there, smells absolutely amazing!

Not too sure how fellow violinist Joshua Bell keeps his boyish looks at his current age of 45 but he certainly seems to know how to take good care of himself while having a massive career, performing over 100 concerts a year and constantly fighting time zones. Not to mention, all the parties and events one has to go to as an international superstar. Must be all the Clinique and Biotherm skin-care products working hard on keeping up that elasticity! To be honest it gives me hope because he and I share similar lifestyles and those are products that I currently use to keep fresh and rejuvenated while on the road. Stress from work, lack of sleep, jetlag, and the dry humidity levels of airplanes are all sure-fire ways that your skin is going to – well, sag.

(This is John Smith – or good old “Wrinkle Meat” as they used to call him, not a name you should ever use on any female as long as you want to live)

Meanwhile, we are in one of the many luxurious chalets in Verbier, Switzerland for the annual summer music festival. It’s a kind of place where classical music and champagne both flow endlessly for two and a half weeks as individuals who sponsor the festival try to outdo each other in competitive extravagance at their beautiful chalets Laurent-Perrier was served that night as the champagne of choice, however I also recall sipping Dom Perignon and Cristal on various other evenings. Like I said, extravagant.

And as much as I enjoy the new style floor-to-ceiling glass ski-homes that are very popular in the United States and Canada, there’s just something about the “old-school” traditional mountain houses in Europe that give a feeling of warmth and character. I’m a great fan of modern and contemporary designs but sometimes it’s nice to get away from the glass and steel architecture you see so much in cities and instead, come a little closer to nature.